Abstract: An active aerodynamic system for a vehicle includes a movable exterior component disposed over a force sensor that is responsive to an aerodynamic force applied to the exterior surface, and a plurality of two or more linear actuators configured to move the movable exterior component responsive to the force applied to the exterior surface. A controller is configured to detect the aerodynamic force applied to the movable exterior component and to command the linear actuators to move the movable exterior component responsive to the aerodynamic force applied thereto. The controller may take into account other factors, such as vehicle speed, in determining a setting for the position of the movable exterior component and/or for determining a desired amount of aerodynamic force that the movable exterior component should have.

Abstract: An electronic latch system for a motor vehicle includes an electronic latch (e-latch) including an e-latch controller within a door of the vehicle. A plurality of radar sensors are located within the door for performing non-contact detection of objects around the vehicle. The radar sensors include an outside-face sensor adjacent an outside face of the door to sense an object within a first sensing zone extending from the outside face. The radar sensors also include an inner sensor adjacent an inside surface of the door to sense an object within a second sensing zone extending from the inside surface. The radar sensors also include a shut-face sensor adjacent a shut face of the door to sense an object within a third sensing zone extending from the shut face. The e-latch includes a light source for projecting a warning image and an audio source for generating an audible warning.

Abstract: An entry backup energy assembly is provided for an electric latch that is powered by a main power source during a normal operating condition. The entry backup energy assembly includes a backup battery electrically coupled to an activation switch that is moveable to one of an activated state and a deactivated state. The entry backup energy assembly also includes a backup controller coupled to the activation switch and the backup battery and the electric latch. The backup controller is configured to receive power from the backup battery in response to movement of the activation switch to the activated state and wirelessly communicates with a user authentication unit to authenticate a user. The backup controller provides the backup electrical energy to the electric latch and enables the user to operate the electric latch during a failure operating condition in response to the user being authenticated.

Abstract: A vehicle system to produce audible sound includes at least one auxiliary motor to mechanically operate of a vehicle component based on a control signal and to produce an audible sound without mechanically operating the vehicle component, and a controller to output a motion control signal to control operation of the at least one auxiliary motor and to output an auditory control signal to actuate the at least one auxiliary motor to produce the audible sound. A waveguide is provided in communication with the at least one auxiliary motor and in sonic resonance with sound produced by the auxiliary motor to amplify and/or to modify the audible sound.

Abstract: A vehicle system to produce audible sound includes at least one auxiliary motor to mechanically operate of a vehicle component based on a control signal and to produce an audible sound without mechanically operating the vehicle component, and a controller to output a motion control signal to control operation of the at least one auxiliary motor and to output an auditory control signal to actuate the at least one auxiliary motor to produce the audible sound. A waveguide is provided in communication with the at least one auxiliary motor and in sonic resonance with sound produced by the auxiliary motor to amplify and/or to modify the audible sound.

Abstract: A non-contact obstacle detection (NCOD) system for an opening in a vehicle includes a cover panel, such as a glass pane, slidable between opened and closed positions within the opening. The system includes one or more infrared time-of-flight (IR-TOF) sensors which measure the length of a beam of infrared light by measuring the time that the infrared light in the beam takes to travel the length of the beam and to reflect back to the sensor. The IR-TOF sensors may be configured to provide a beam of light along either the side edge of the frame parallel to the sliding direction or a terminal edge generally transverse to the sliding direction. Methods are provided for detecting obstacles within the opening of the frame by controllers using the lengths of beams from each of those different beam configurations, and for self-calibrating the system.

Abstract: A non-contact obstacle detection (NCOD) system for an opening in a vehicle includes a cover panel, such as a glass pane, slidable between opened and closed positions within the opening. The system includes one or more infrared time-of-flight (IR-TOF) sensors which measure the length of a beam of infrared light by measuring the time that the infrared light in the beam takes to travel the length of the beam and to reflect back to the sensor. The IR-TOF sensors may be configured to provide a beam of light along either the side edge of the frame parallel to the sliding direction or a terminal edge generally transverse to the sliding direction. Methods are provided for detecting obstacles within the opening of the frame by controllers using the lengths of beams from each of those different beam configurations, and for self-calibrating the system.

Abstract: An electronic latch system for a motor vehicle includes an electronic latch (e-latch) including an e-latch controller within a door of the vehicle. A plurality of radar sensors are located within the door for performing non-contact detection of objects around the vehicle. The radar sensors include an outside-face sensor adjacent an outside face of the door to sense an object within a first sensing zone extending from the outside face. The radar sensors also include an inner sensor adjacent an inside surface of the door to sense an object within a second sensing zone extending from the inside surface. The radar sensors also include a shut-face sensor adjacent a shut face of the door to sense an object within a third sensing zone extending from the shut face. The e-latch includes a light source for projecting a warning image and an audio source for generating an audible warning.

Abstract: A vehicle defining an opening with a closure panel adapted to cover the opening generally includes a window in the closure panel. Furthermore, a rear window defrosting wire is often mounted to the window. A user interface system is disclosed to include a capacitive switch wire having a portion mounted to the window proximate to, and overlapping with, the rear window defrosting wire, and a capacitive switch control unit connected to the capacitive switch wire and adapted to interpret a change a capacitance near the terminus of the capacitive switch wire as a command request. The system includes a projector and a controller adapted to control the projector to project an image onto the window proximate to the terminus of the capacitive switch wire, receive an indication of receipt of the command request and transmit a command to cause a state change in an element of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A non-contact obstacle detection (NCOD) system for an opening in a vehicle includes a cover panel, such as a glass pane, slidable between opened and closed positions within the opening. The system includes one or more infrared time-of-flight (IR-TOF) sensors which measure the length of a beam of infrared light by measuring the time that the infrared light in the beam takes to travel the length of the beam and to reflect back to the sensor. The IR-TOF sensors may be configured to provide a beam of light along either the side edge of the frame parallel to the sliding direction or a terminal edge generally transverse to the sliding direction. Methods are provided for detecting obstacles within the opening of the frame by controllers using the lengths of beams from each of those different beam configurations, and for self-calibrating the system.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A vehicle defining an opening with a closure panel adapted to cover the opening generally includes a window in the closure panel. Furthermore, a rear window defrosting wire is often mounted to the window. A user interface system is disclosed to include a capacitive switch wire having a portion mounted to the window proximate to, and overlapping with, the rear window defrosting wire, and a capacitive switch control unit connected to the capacitive switch wire and adapted to interpret a change a capacitance near the terminus of the capacitive switch wire as a command request. The system includes a projector and a controller adapted to control the projector to project an image onto the window proximate to the terminus of the capacitive switch wire, receive an indication of receipt of the command request and transmit a command to cause a state change in an element of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A method for hands-free operation of a power window of a vehicle, comprising: determining an order of activation of a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor and the second sensor being spaced apart and located inside the vehicle proximate the power window; when the first sensor is activated before the second sensor, controlling a window pane of the power window to move toward a first position; when the second sensor is activated before the first sensor, controlling the window pane to move toward a second position; and, when the first sensor and the second sensor are activated simultaneously or approximately simultaneously while the window pane is moving, controlling the window pane to stop moving.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly having a foundation tube, a rotary actuator mounted in the foundation tube for changing the azimuth of the panel and a linear actuator mounted to the foundation tube for controlling the elevation angle of the panel. The linear actuator utilizes a spindle drive. The rotary actuator includes a motor and gearbox; a drive screw connected to the motor; a spindle screw, one end of which provides an output of the rotary actuator; a drive nut having a first threaded hole for receiving a thread of the drive screw and a second threaded hole for receiving a thread of the spindle screw, the guide nut having a guide fin; and a guide rail interacting with the nut guide fin to constrain the nut from rotating, whereby the rotation of the drive by screw by operation of the motor causes the nut to translate linearly which in turn causes the spindle screw to rotate.